This is an open letter to the guy and the gal in the white Chevy Silverado with the McCain/Palin sticker who “overlooked” me while I was crossing the street today.
Look, I know you’re scared, I know you’re tired, and I know you’re probably hurt. Its okay to feel that way at this point in the political season, we all just want it to be over. And soon, it will be, and its not looking too good for your side right now. Now, while I am black, I was wearing an oxford shirt and a blazer, you may have hastily confused me for Barack Obama and decided not to yeild to me as a pedestrian trying to cross the street.
Your bad… I’ll accept that.
However, if your anger at the thought of a black president has pushed you this far, perhaps you and I need to have a serious chat. You see, we live in a country that is becoming browner and browner every day. As more and more minorities arrive, thrive, and reproduce, the notion of whiteness equating to an exclusive hold on the reigns of power becomes more and more tenuous. Simply stated, if we don’t elect a black president now, don’t be surprised if in twenty or thirty years, we don’t elect a black or brown one then. The bumper of your truck may be powerful, but if can’t stop the inevitable.
I’m not Barack Obama… please let me cross the street.
Seriously, we’re living in a time when intolerance still rears its ugly head at intersections and “real americans” haven’t quite figured out that “real america” has changed, then I’d really like to take a moment with each of them to beat them with the heavy stick of reality.
Or maybe I’m just overthinking it and the guy driving the truck was just a general jackass with no political motives after all.
